Franchise Insights

News, guides and market analysis on co-living and HMO property, letting agency franchising and building a business with ROOMS®.

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Latest · 22 October 2026

Building a Better Way: My ROOMS® Journey

From running a retail business in 1986 to co-founding Rooms & Co Ltd in 2013, Gary Winter shares the journey, values and systems-first thinking behind the ROOMS® co-living franchise.

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29 September 2026

How ROOMS OS Helps Franchise Partners Build Better, More Scalable Property Businesses

Discover how ROOMS OS connects property managers, tenants, cleaners, contractors and landlords to improve visibility, accountability and growth across a co-living portfolio.

Read How ROOMS OS Helps Franchise Partners Build Better, More Scalable Property Businesses

13 August 2026

What Got Me Into the ROOMS® Business

Iain English shares how a search for a scalable property business in 2011 led to the co-living (HMO) model, the founding of Rooms & Co Ltd in 2013 and the launch of the first ROOMS® franchise in 2016.

Read What Got Me Into the ROOMS® Business

5 August 2026

From Franchise Owner to Successful Exit: Celebrating Sophie Foote's ROOMS® Journey

Success isn’t just about building a business, it’s about creating an asset. After building successful ROOMS® businesses in Southampton and Bournemouth, Sophie Foote has completed the sale of her territories — generating more than £500,000 from an initial £30,000 franchise investment.

Read From Franchise Owner to Successful Exit: Celebrating Sophie Foote's ROOMS® Journey

1 July 2026

The Value of Coaching: Why Successful People Buy Franchises

Successful entrepreneurs pay for coaches, mentors and advisors because expertise compresses the learning curve. A franchise works the same way — you are not buying a business, you are buying back years of time.

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17 June 2026

The ROOMS® Origin Story: From One Property to a Bigger Vision

How Iain English went from letting rooms in his own Tunbridge Wells home to founding Rooms & Co Ltd with Gary Winter in 2013 — and the systems-first vision that became the ROOMS® co-living franchise network.

Read The ROOMS® Origin Story: From One Property to a Bigger Vision

17 November 2025

Why ROOMS® Franchising Delivers More Than Just Training

Training companies hand you knowledge. A franchise hands you a business. Here’s the real difference between attending a course and owning a ROOMS® territory — proven systems, ongoing mentorship and a brand you can build on.

Read Why ROOMS® Franchising Delivers More Than Just Training

28 October 2025

Property Franchise vs Independent Agency: Which Path Should You Choose?

You’ve been thinking about starting your own lettings agency. Maybe you’re tired of making money for someone else, or perhaps you’ve spotted a gap in your local market. Either way, you’re facing a big decision: should you go it alone or join a franchise? It’s a choice that will shape everything about your business, from

Read Property Franchise vs Independent Agency: Which Path Should You Choose?

7 July 2025

How Big is the HMO Market in the UK?

The UK HMO market is worth just over £78 billion across an estimated 182,554 properties in England and Wales, generating £6.3 billion in rent a year. See the regional breakdown, average values and growth outlook.

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14 June 2025

Why Do Franchises Fail? Everything You Need to Know to Avoid Common Pitfalls

When entrepreneurs consider buying a franchise, they’re often attracted by impressive statistics about success rates significantly higher than independent startups. While franchising does offer many advantages over starting from scratch, it’s important to understand that franchises can still face challenges. Research suggests that a meaningful percentage of franchises struggle within their first three years of

Read Why Do Franchises Fail? Everything You Need to Know to Avoid Common Pitfalls

4 June 2025

Is Owning a Franchise a Good Idea?

Is owning a franchise right for you? Weigh the benefits, fees, risks and support, with practical checks before buying a UK property franchise.

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30 June 2022

Be sure you know these things before starting a rent to rent business

In principle a rent to rent business appears quite straight forward, however there are a number of roles and responsibilities for the operator. Broadly speaking they break down into five areas, each with legal responsibilities, legislation and rules for you to know about.

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15 May 2022

How much available time do you need to run a rent to rent business successfully?

Starting a rent to rent business, like any other business, is going to be a tussle between earning sufficient money to cover your living costs and the time you can afford to spend on growing it. The good news is that it is possible to begin part-time in rent to rent, however, to build your

Read How much available time do you need to run a rent to rent business successfully?

8 March 2022

Is a rent to rent property business right for you?

Rent to rent promises a route into property without the large sums needed to buy. But what does it really involve? Ten questions to help you decide whether a rent to rent business is right for you.

Read Is a rent to rent property business right for you?

22 February 2022

To start my own business or not start my own business? That is the question

Thinking about starting your own business? Iain English shares seven honest questions to ask yourself before taking the leap — from your real motive to how you handle risk and long-term reward.

Read To start my own business or not start my own business? That is the question

6 January 2022

My overheads increased and my next action was the best thing I ever did

Fortune favours the brave. When ROOMS® Franchise Support first encouraged me to open a shop front office, I worried about extra overheads — but it turned out to be the best decision I made for the business.

Read My overheads increased and my next action was the best thing I ever did

30 September 2017

ROOMS® Opens First London Franchise in Ealing

ROOMS® continues its national expansion with the launch of ROOMS® Ealing, the network's second franchise business and its first location within Greater London, led by Franchise Partner Emily Sturge.

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11 August 2016

ROOMS® Launches First Franchise Business in Maidenhead

ROOMS® announces the launch of its first franchise business, ROOMS® Maidenhead, awarded to Mekonen Peirce through Meklet Ltd.

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1 July 2013

New Business Launch: Rooms & Co Ltd Formed to Raise Standards in Shared Living

Iain English and Gary Winter launch Rooms & Co Ltd to deliver professionally managed shared homes — raising standards for tenants, improving returns for landlords and building a model designed to scale across the UK.

Read New Business Launch: Rooms & Co Ltd Formed to Raise Standards in Shared Living

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